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Lawmaker raps Obama for lack of diversity in top posts

WASHINGTON — Democrat Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi called out the Obama administration Wednesday for what he said is a lack of diversity in high-level posts, including the Cabinet.Thompson, who is

WASHINGTON — Democratic Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi called out the Obama administration Wednesday for what he said is a lack of diversity in high-level posts, including the Cabinet.

Thompson, who is black, chided President Obama for not nominating more African-Americans to top administration jobs.

"Four months into his second term, we look to the president's Cabinet appointments only to find that he has once again overlooked his most loyal constituency,'' Thompson said.

He made his comments while delivering the Congressional Black Caucus' weekly radio address on the American Urban Radio Network, which is African-American owned and has listeners across the country.

"Many of my colleagues and I are disturbed by the president's lack of attention to diversity in his Cabinet and administration,'' Thompson said.

White House officials say Obama is committed to diversity and noted that the selection process for his Cabinet is not complete.

"He believes that diversity is valuable because it enhances the decision-making process in the Cabinet, and it's important within his senior staff for the same reason,'' Jay Carney, a White House spokesman, said at a press briefing last month.

Obama's recent nominations include Gina McCarthy to head the Environmental Protection Agency, Ernest Moniz to lead the Energy Department and Thomas Perez to head the Labor Department. None of those nominees is black.

Remaining top-level posts include transportation secretary, commerce secretary and head of the Small Business Administration.

David Bositis, a senior analyst with the Joint Center for Economic and Political Studies, noted that during Obama's first term, blacks — including EPA administrator Lisa Jackson and Attorney General Eric Holder — held key posts.

"Obama has to be circumspect, both in terms of someone who is going to be effective, someone who is going to work well with him (and) someone who is going to get through the Senate,'' Bositis said.

He said Obama could still nominate more blacks to key posts — including black women — to help with his goal to diversify his staff.

"It's not like the president needs somebody in his Cabinet to give him the black point of view,'' Bositis said.

Rep. Marcia Fudge, D-Ohio, chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus, complained in a letter to Obama last month that his recent Cabinet nominees "have hardly been reflective of this country's diversity.''

CBC members have recommended more than 60 African-Americans for Cabinet-level posts, but none have been nominated, said Ayofemi Kirby, a spokesperson for the caucus.

Caucus members are especially angry based on "the overwhelming support you've received from the African-American community,'' Fudge wrote to Obama.

Thompson said Obama has selected the lowest number of African-American Cabinet members in 38 years. He noted that George W. Bush, Obama's Republican predecessor, nominated four African-Americans to Cabinet posts.

Bush's nominations were over two terms, Bositis said.

Thompson said Congressional Black Caucus members and minority groups worked hard to help re-elect Obama. Black voters overwhelmingly supported Obama in 2008 and 2012.

"This is not a time to stand idly by... this is an opportunity to act,'' Thompson said of Obama. "Neither I nor the Congressional Black Caucus will rest until African-Americans are represented throughout the administration.''

Thompson, the top Democrat on the House Homeland Security Committee, also has pushed for more diversity at the Department of Homeland Security.

Diversity in the federal government is a caucus priority. Some caucus members and civil rights groups also complain the administration has not done enough to address African-American concerns, particularly the high unemployment rate among blacks.

"The absence of diverse voices leads to policy and programs that adversely impact African-Americans,'' Fudge wrote in her March letter.

Fudge has since heard from Valerie Jarrett, a senior advisor to Obama, who assured her the administration is committed to diversity, Kirby said. Jarrett also met earlier this year with the Congressional Black Caucus.

Fudge is "confident that the administration is committed to diversity,'' Kirby said. "She's waiting to see what the remaining appointments will be.''